2021 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
The Peacock at Rowsley
Rowsley
The Peak District national park is on your doorstep here, and staff will recommend
a wide range of walks. Try the eight-mile round-trip to Chatsworth House along the River Derwent, stopping for a pint at the Red Lion in Bakewell en route.
Pen-y-Dyffryn
Oswestry
Walking holidays are a speciality here, thanks to the hotel’s blessed situation amid the hills and footpaths of the Welsh Borders. You can do 30-minute strolls to full-day treks. Offa’s Dyke long-distance trail is less than a mile away.
The White Horse
Brancaster Staithe
Walk to the end of the garden of this family-run hotel, and you’ll find the Norfolk Coast Path, with its miles of beach, marshland, bridleways, quiet country lanes, abundant birdlife and enormous skies.
The Bell at Skenfrith
Skenfrith
Six circular walks, taking in glorious Monmouthshire countryside, start from the Bell’s front door; staff provide illustrated guides charting the route, history and wildlife of each one. In summer, you can order a picnic to take with you.
Moor of Rannoch-Restaurant & Rooms
Rannoch Station
There’s no TV, radio, Wi-Fi or mobile signal here – just miles of moorland sometimes described as Britain’s last great wilderness. By turns desolate and uplifting, it has been lauded by writers from William Wordsworth to Robert Macfarlane.
The Rock Inn
Newton Abbot
There is no shortage of beautiful walks from the front door of this cosy inn through Dartmoor’s huge spaces, and staff will provide plenty of detailed information on them. South Devon and the Coast Path are a short drive away.
Blue Hayes
St Ives
The gardens at this glamorous, sun-soaked hotel on Porthminster Point lead on to the South West Coast Path – ideal for walks that will conveniently take you past many foodie and cultural points of interest, such as Tate St Ives.
Lorum Old Rectory
Bagenalstown
The Blackstairs mountains and South Leinster Way are a short stroll from this country house, as is the Barrow Navigation Towpath. Curracloe beach, where the D-Day scenes of Saving Private Ryan were filmed, is an hour’s drive away.
Ael y Bryn
Crymych
Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastal paths and the Preseli hills are waiting to be discovered on foot from this friendly, adults-only B&B. On your return there is a drying room for muddy clothes, and pre- arranged evening meals.
Forest Side
Grasmere
Just ten minutes on foot from Grasmere, this is an idyllic spot for walkers of all abilities, from ramblers to serious hikers. Luxury rooms and a Michelin-starred restaurant will do wonders for aching feet and hungry tummies on your return.
2020 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
Tudor Farmhouse
Clearwell
Guests can roam 14 acres of ancient grassland without even leaving the property at Hari and Colin Fell’s boutique hotel, but the Forest of Dean beckons, with its four-mile sculpture trail. Ask for information and guides.
The Traddock
Austwick
Guide books, maps and a packed lunch can be supplied at the Reynoldses’ Dales hotel. Whether you’re up for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge or a stroll in the Forest of Bowland, you can reward yourself on your return with afternoon tea in the lounge.
Pendragon Country House
Camelford
Whether you choose to follow the Coastal Path or stride out on Bodmin Moor from Sharon and Nigel Reed’s small hotel, they will provide a pick-up-and-drop-off service. Set off with a superb breakfast under your belt.
Biggin Hall
Buxton
Help yourself to a complimentary packed lunch before setting off from James Moffett’s manor house hotel to explore the Peak District, discover Dovedale, perhaps to follow the old railway track bed of the Tissington and High Peaks Trails.
Ees Wyke Country House
Ambleside
Wherever you walk around here, you find yourself in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter, who spent family holidays at this country house, now run as a hotel by Richard Lee. Her farmhouse, Hill Top, is nearby. A newly opened path runs by Esthwaite Water to Hawkshead.
Sheedy’s
Lisdoonvarna
The Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher and the eerie karst moonscape of the Burren are on the doorstep of this 18th-century mansion. Hosts Martina and John Sheedy are happy to share their local knowledge and provide maps.
The Gurnard’s Head
St Ives
The Inkin brothers’ dining pub is a popular watering hole for hikers on the Coastal Path. Set out from here to explore cliffs and coves, see seals basking on the Carracks, discover the farm source of Moormaid of Zennor ice cream.
Dolffanog Fawr
Tywyn
Guests wishing to tackle the Cadair range can request a lift from Alex Yorke and Lorraine Hinkins’s Snowdonia guest house and walk back. There are forest, river and mountain walks, a hot tub for a soak on your return.
Knockendarroch Hotel
Pitlochry
More than 40 miles of signed routes around Pitlochry lead through woodland, along the loch side, by river and burn, to the Linn of Tummel waterfall, to Scotland’s smallest distillery. Struan and Louise Lothian, hosts at this hotel, are happy to advise.
Llanthony Priory Hotel
Abergavenny
A circular walk, taking in two miles of Offa’s Dyke, will present you with an eagle’s eye view of Victoria and Geoff Neal’s historic hotel and abbey ruins. A hearty meal, not frugal monkish fare, will be served up on your return.
2019 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
The Peacock at Rowsley
Rowsley
Whether exploring the estate around medieval Haddon Hall, or tackling more challenging terrain in the Peak District national park, walkers are in their element at Lord and Lady Manners’s 17th-century hotel. Ask reception for their walks folder.
Farlam Hall
Brampton
Thoughtful route guides to local walks have been compiled by the long-time owners of this manor house hotel near the top of the North Pennines and just three miles from coast-to-coast Hadrian’s Wall Path.
Leathes Head Hotel
Keswick
Guests can order a picnic before setting out from this Edwardian country house hotel, perhaps to follow a waymarked path ten miles around Derwentwater, or to climb to the top of Catbells for panoramic views.
Dunkery Beacon Country House
Wootton Courtenay
From this Edwardian hunting lodge, walkers climb to the top of the eponymous beacon hill, or pick up the Coleridge Way across Exmoor towards Lynmouth or Nether Stowey in the footsteps of the great poet. How romantic is that!
Trevalsa Court
Mevagissey
Steps from the Coastal Path, this friendly small hotel offers a variety of walking and strolling options. Head across country to the Lost Gardens of Heligan – lost no more – and return for a Cornish cream tea.
The Creggans Inn
Strachur
From a stroll along the Loch Fyne shore, to exploring enchanted Puck’s Glen, broad leaf and conifer forests and waterfalls, great walks start at the door of this friendly inn, or are just a short drive away.
Stella Maris
Ballycastle
You pass a blow hole on the walk to the sea stack of Downpatrick Head, topped with the ruins of a church founded by St Patrick. One of many thrilling forays from this hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Plough
Kelmscott
You can pick up the Thames Path from this welcoming pub-with-rooms in the William Morris heartlands, perhaps to walk to Lechlade, or past a pretty lock- keeper’s cottage, for a crafty pint in The Trout at Tadpole Bridge.
Timberstone
Clee Stanton
Tea and biscuits await Rover’s return to this dog-friendly rural B&B, after a day roaming the blue remembered hills of Shropshire, visiting Ironbridge Gorge, or browsing the specialist food shops in nearby Ludlow.
Bryniau Golau
BALA
You can take a scenic walk around Bala lake, pick up a family or heritage trail, head for hill or mountain, from this lovely Snowdonia B&B. A good breakfast sets you up; drying facilities await your return.
2018 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
The Peacock at Rowsley
Rowsley
Generations of glamorous aristocrats hang around this 17th-century manor house, gazing from gilded frames over what is today an exemplary hotel.
Tudor Farmhouse
Clearwell
‘A hit! Just our kind of hotel,’ say trusted reviewers of this ‘small but luxurious’ retreat set in ‘ravishing countryside’ in the Forest of Dean.
Hazel Bank
Keswick
Occupying a prime spot in what is arguably the Lake District’s most picturesque valley, Hazel Bank has ‘stunning mountain views’, walks from the doorstep, and the chance of spotting a red squirrel.
The Inn at Whitewell
Clitheroe
There is an outdoorsy, tally-ho vibe about Charles Bowman’s rural inn on the banks of the River Hodder, with views to the Forest of Bowland.
Porth Tocyn Hotel
Abersoch
‘I would love to keep it to myself, but I thought I should share the good news.
Ees Wyke Country House
Ambleside
More guest house than hotel, this Georgian country house overlooking Esthwaite Water has the feel of a comfortable family home, a bit lived-in – and what an outlook.
Crossways Hotel
Wilmington
David Stott and Clive James ‘nurture an atmosphere of repose and tranquillity, along with informality and laughter and the friendliest of warm welcomes’ at their restaurant-with-rooms beneath the South Downs.
Moor of Rannoch-Restaurant & Rooms
Rannoch Station
The phrase ‘in the middle of nowhere’ takes on real meaning when you step down from the overnight sleeper for a stay at Scott and Stephanie Meikle’s remote restaurant-with-rooms.
The Gurnard’s Head
St Ives
You drive over moors on a near-deserted road to reach Charles and Edmund Inkin’s relaxed, informal dining-pub-with-rooms on Cornwall’s Atlantic coast.
Currarevagh House
Oughterard
A house-party atmosphere prevails at this country house in 180 acres of grounds on Lough Corrib, built in 1842 and run as a sporting lodge by owner Henry Hodgson’s great grandfather from 1890.
2017 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
Pen-y-Dyffryn
Oswestry
A morning newsletter lends a personal touch at the Hunter family’s dog-friendly hotel in rolling countryside with views to the Welsh hills.
Tudor Farmhouse
Clearwell
‘A hit! Just our kind of hotel,’ say trusted reviewers of this ‘small but luxurious’ retreat set in ‘ravishing countryside’ in the Forest of Dean.
Howtown Hotel
Penrith
It’s traditional with a capital T at the ‘delightfully old-fashioned’ Howtown, with dinner gong, no in-room TVs, and extremely limited Wi-Fi.
Biggin Hall
Buxton
With a ‘spectacular location’ in a small village high in the White Peak landscape, James Moffett’s Grade II* listed manor house with its stone floors, oak beams and mullioned windows also offers ‘excellent value for money’.
The Felin Fach Griffin
Brecon
Dogs love this dining-pub-with-rooms, between the Black mountains and the Brecon Beacons, as much as their two-legged friends do.
Moor of Rannoch-Restaurant & Rooms
Rannoch Station
The phrase ‘in the middle of nowhere’ takes on real meaning when you step down from the overnight sleeper for a stay at Scott and Stephanie Meikle’s remote restaurant-with-rooms.
Glenfinnan House Hotel
Fort William
You can almost hear the skirling of pipes as you gaze across Loch Shiel from Jane MacFarlane’s waterside mansion to the Glenfinnan Monument and distant Ben Nevis.
Dunkery Beacon Country House
Wootton Courtenay
This Edwardian hunting lodge with a veranda from which to gaze out to the highest point on Exmoor, or at the starry black sky, is today a ‘delightful, well-managed’ hotel, run by owners John and Jane Bradley.
Boskerris Hotel
St Ives
Above Carbis Bay, just far enough from the madding crowd, Jonathan and Marianne Bassett’s small Edwardian hotel is the epitome of coastal style.
Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel
Nant Gwynant
Built in 1810, this ‘eccentric’ hotel at the foot of Snowdonia retains the spirit of a mountaineers’ hostel, along with a wealth of memorabilia commemorating mountaineering’s golden age.
2016 Editor's Choice Walking
Best UK hotels for walking and hiking
Titchwell Manor
Brancaster
Twitchers are in their element at Titchwell, with an RSPB nature reserve just up the road – but so too are foodie couples, beach-seeking families and dogs, who can eat with their owners in the casual Eating Rooms.
Underleigh House
Hope
‘We felt as if we had been invited to stay with friends,’ says one reviewer of this welcoming B&B in the heart of Jane Eyre country.
The Burgoyne
REETH
‘A delight,’ writes one reader this year of Mo and Julia Usman’s Georgian hotel overlooking the green. ‘Fantastic views, cosy comfy atmosphere, exceptional cuisine and service.’
Rambles in Cumbria surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District and exploring the Peak District national park or walking in the Tamar Valley and on Dartmoor, where you may have the privilege of meeting a few wild ponies along the way. Perhaps you will combine your walking holiday with other country pursuits - cycling, fishing, bird-watching and horse riding. Hotels will also go the extra mile, each offering their own unique touches, whether they’re picnics to take out with you, ghillies and guides for local fishing whether you want advice on where to go or tips for beginners.
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